MESA, Ariz. -- C.J. Wilson pitched three strong innings in his spring debut for the Los Angeles Angels during an 8-7 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.
Wilson gave up an unearned run and two hits. He walked none and struck out two. The left-hander went 13-10 last year.
Wilson said he spent most of the offseason "figuring out where to get more (production) out of my body."
"You don't care so much what the result is. I am more concerned with location than anything else," he said.
When Wilson missed with his pitches, he was down in strike zone more so than on either side of the plate, an indication to him that he had decent control.
"It's like I've been in the lab, wearing long gloves, working on my delivery, putting nutrients in there," he said.
The A's scored twice in the ninth to win it. Renato Nunez, a 20-year-old infielder, hit a tiebreaking single off the foot of pitcher Edgar Ibarra.
"A kid that young, it was good to have him come through," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said.
"This is the time of game when all of your starters are out after the fifth (inning), so it's time for the others to shine."
Oakland had an extra coach on its side. New Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh, formerly with the San Francisco 49ers, joined the A's for a day.
STARTING TIME
A's: Melvin was pleased with the two-inning outing of starter Chris Bassitt, a right-hander who was obtained as part of the trade that sent right-hander Jeff Samardzija to the Chicago White Sox. Bassitt gave up one hit and struck out two.
"I thought he pitched really well," Melvin said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
A's: RF Josh Reddick (strained oblique muscle) will be sidelined for at least two more weeks before he can resume baseball activity, much longer than originally thought, Melvin said. Stephen Vogt (offseason foot surgery) has been cleared to catch and will be behind the plate on Monday against Texas in Surprise, Ariz.
UP NEXT
The A's will face Samardzija, their rent-a-pitcher from the last part of the 2014 season, when the White Sox come to HoKoKam on Sunday. Samardzija is familiar with the ballpark, having pitched there for many springs as a member of the Chicago Cubs.
Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!
